HomeMy WebLinkAboutUNIVERSITY ACCESSIBLE PARKING8/27/2002
Rulon Neilsen
Ricks College Physical Plant
Rexburg, ID 83440
Dear Rulon,
STATE OF IDAHO
www.c1.rexbur.qJd.us
P.O. Box 280
12 North Center Street
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
Phone (208) 359-3020
Fax (208) 359-3022
e-mail rexburg@ci.rexburg.id.us
I received your letter addressing the Accessible Parking that I had asked about on my
review of the Benson Drawings. Paragraph 4.6.2 of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design
requires that "Accessible parking spaces serving a particular building shall be located on the
shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible entrance." Having the parking for the Benson
Addition located at the Multi -Use Facility brings up an interesting problem. If we look at the
University Parking on a "campus wide" basis, does that mean that we can locate all new parking
on satellite lots? Shouldn't the requirement for handicap spaces generated by the additional
students and faculty utilizing the new additions or buildings be filled with close -in parking spaces.
Are you suggesting that handicap spaces up at the Multi -Use Facility should count for the
required handicapped spaces for new buildings and additions around campus? Shouldn't we be
changing the existing close -in parking spaces to handicapped spaces as additional buildings or
additions are created? It seems to me that the ADA Standards require that the close -in spaces be
converted to handicapped spaces, even if it reduces the overall amount of close -in parking. If
shuttles were operated from satellite parking lots, the handicapped spaces would be required to be
those closest to the shuttle pick-up.
The amount of parking spaces required to be handicapped spaces is in Section 4.1.2 of the
ADA Standards. Item 5 of this section reads "If parking spaces are provided for self parking by
employees or visitors, or both, then accessible spaces complying with 4.6 shall be provided in
each such parking area in conformance with the table below." As I stated in my review letter
"According to the code analysis on sheet F101 a possible additional 591 students could occupy
the building, therefore an additional 148 parking spaces would be need to be provided. The
University has plans to increase parking on an entire campus level. Therefore, an additional
parking lot is not required in close proximity to the building. However, additional handicapped
parking is still required. ADA requirements identify the need for 5 additional handicapped
parking spaces." In your letter you state that you prefer "not to add accessible stalls in this area"
and then offer to add two if pressured.
Perhaps we have some misunderstandings between the City and the University concerning
handicapped parking. At no time did we intend to overlook ADA Requirements when we agreed
to view campus parking on an overall picture. Could the City and the University staffs involved
with parking get together and discuss this matter? We also have some changes in our Building
Department with the addition of Bill Hamlin as a new inspector and would like to introduce him
to rest of your staff. We also would like to outline some of the new measures that we are
implementing in our inspection procedures.
You have been so generous in the past with hosting us at "working luncheons", we felt it
was our turn to invite you to City Hall for a working luncheon. Let us know if September 10`h at
11:30 A.M. would be available for this meeting. Would you please provide copies of this letter
and invitation to all of those from your staff that will be attending? Will you also get back to us
with a count of those who will attend? Please get back to us as soon as possible. If you have any
questions, please give me a call at 359-3020 ext. 324.
Sincerely,
Val Christensen
Building Official
C.C. Mayor Bruce Sutherland
John Millar
Stephen Zollinger
Bill Hamlin
Jon Berry
Chris Huskinson
Kurt Hibbert